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Florida Groups Celebrate Apparent Biden/Harris Victory As President Trump Vows To 'Start Prosecuting'

All of the major news networks, including NPR, have called the presidential race for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The results are not official until all votes have been counted and certified by each state.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump:

“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed. The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.

In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process. Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.

“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots. This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election.

It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room – and then fight in court to block their access.

“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”

Statement from Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo:

“Congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. Today we celebrate the start of a new chapter for our country. We saw record breaking vote totals with Joe Biden winning more votes than any President in history. Today’s win was a victory for America and a victory for the millions of volunteers who gave their time, their heart and their soul to secure this outcome, and we thank them for their commitment to elect leadership that will build America back better.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will work tirelessly to improve the lives of every single American. Their inclusive, clear-eyed leadership is precisely what we need to restore the soul of this nation. The Biden-Harris administration will also make history, as the brilliant Kamala Harris will be both the first woman and the first Black and Southeast Asian Vice President."

Reaction from the Florida For All coalition:

The Florida For All coalition, formed by New Florida Majority, FLIC Votes, Dream Defenders, Faith in Florida Action Fund, Florida Planned Parenthood PAC, Organize Florida, and Service Employees International Union Florida, and part of a national $30 million campaign led by Win Justice, ran the largest independent electoral campaign in Florida, and made more than 24 million calls and texts to a universe of 3.5 million infrequent voters of color in 19 counties throughout the state.

The following are some statements from leaders from the Florida For All coalition.

Andrea Mercado, Executive Director, New Florida Majority:

“We have been waiting for four years for the Trump nightmare to end. This week, the American people delivered a crushing blow to hate and division, and voted to advance a hopeful future for our children and our planet."

Rachel Gilmer, Dream Defenders co-director:

"Dream Defenders is so proud of the way that young people in Florida and the country showed up in this election. Even though our state didn’t go blue, we were clear about the threat posed by a second Trump term and showed up to the polls in record numbers. In the end, every vote was counted, and the voters decided that Trump’s time in office was over, and now we’ve got to make sure the incoming administration keeps its promises.”

Laura Goodhue with Planned Parenthood Votes:

“Planned Parenthood Votes is thrilled to congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on this historic victory. They both made clear throughout the campaign that they will stand up for our health care and reproductive freedom, and even though we came up just short in Florida, we were proud to mobilize our supporters to stand up and vote for this historic ticket. Today, we celebrate this victory, and we look forward to working with the Biden administration on fighting to protect and expand access to reproductive health care for all Floridians and all Americans.”

Dale Ewart, executive vice president, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East – Florida:

“Caregivers and healthcare workers of every race and background in every state have kept Americans safe and healthy during this historic pandemic. They are essential, and so are their votes. Union members voted in record numbers for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to tackle the pandemic head-on and build a better future out of this crisis. The faith in our political system requires that we fulfill the voice of the people, no exceptions."
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Gina Jordan
Gina Jordanis the host of Morning Edition for WFSU News. Gina is a Tallahassee native and graduate of Florida State University. She spent 15 years working in news/talk and country radio in Orlando before becoming a reporter and All Things Considered host for WFSU in 2008. She left after a few years to spend more time with her son, working part-time as the capital reporter/producer for WLRN Public Media in Miami and as a drama teacher at Young Actors Theatre. She also blogged and reported for StateImpact Florida, an NPR education project, and produced podcasts and articles for AVISIAN Publishing. Gina has won awards for features, breaking news coverage, and newscasts from contests including the Associated Press, Green Eyeshade, and Murrow Awards. Gina is on the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Board of Directors. Gina is thrilled to be back at WFSU! In her free time, she likes to read, travel, and watch her son play football. Follow Gina Jordan on Twitter: @hearyourthought
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